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Our instant reactions to the Baltimore Ravens selection of Ben Cleveland with pick No. 94 in the 2021 NFL Draft...
The Ravens needed to add some talent to their offensive line after trading away Orlando Brown Jr. and did so with Cleveland, a mountainous blocker with an SEC pedigree and pass protection prowess. Expect Bradley Bozeman to transition to center and a fierce competition between multiple recent mid round selections for the starting left guard, with Cleveland the early favorite to win the nod.
- Vasilis Lericos
For the third time in three picks, the Ravens managed to land not only an excellent player, but landing one where there is a need on the roster. Cleveland is an absolute mountain of a man at 6-foot-5, 357 pounds. The Ravens are excellent in the development of the offensive lineman and I bet Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris is grinning from ear-to-ear with this selection. This also hints at Bradley Brozeman becoming the center, which I guarantee will be asked tonight with Eric DeCosta in the Day 2 post-presser.
- Kyle P. Barber
Ben Cleveland will have the chance to compete for the starting LG position if the Ravens do move Bradley Bozeman to center. Cleveland is a massive human being at 6’6” 340+ pounds and is a good pass protector, allowing only 13 pressures on over 600 pass-blocking snaps according to PFF. The combination of Cleveland, Bozeman, and Zeitler would give the Ravens some big boys on the interior.
- Dustin Cox
I definitely can’t say I dislike the pick of Ben Cleveland in the sense that I’m sure he’ll be a good player, but it is curious considering how many guards have been drafted by Baltimore recently and are currently on the roster. It really felt like OT or C if the Ravens went OL, but many of the better prospects at those positions were off the board at this point and may very well be there at 104 and beyond. I’m excited about getting more interior OL help for this offense, but can’t help but feel a bit concerned about the current state of drafting and development for iOL with how many options there seemed to already be on the roster for the LG spot.
- Cassidy Higdon
While not the swing tackle many were hoping for, Ben Cleveland is a mauler and ideal fit for the Ravens downhill rushing attack. He could step in as a plug-and-play starter from Day 1 or provide solid depth at the very least.
- Frank Platko
Like the competition at left guard. Ben Cleveland is a super strong lineman that is good at using his size to his advantage. He is definitely not a sure thing (that’s what you get with picks in the middle rounds) but has a real shot at starting this season.
- Jonas Evans
Ben Cleveland is a huge guard at 6’6” and 343 pounds, which works to his advantage as a run blocker. Despite not possessing elite athleticism, he did a solid job in pass protection at Georgia. He should be a perfect fit within Baltimore’s offense. This pick could be a signal that Bradley Bozeman may start at center, which would allow Cleveland to compete with Tyre Phillips and Patrick Mekari for the starting left guard spot.
- Jakob Ashlin
The Ravens continue to show their dedication to improving the interior of their offensive line with this pick. Cleveland coming to town pretty much cements that rumors of Bradley Bozeman moving over to center in 2021 since they will now have several recent mid round picks competing for the starting left guard spot. The former Georgia Bulldog is a massive people mover who would bring more size to the interior and is a nasty blocker in the run game.
- Joshua Reed
Our instant reactions to the Baltimore Ravens selection of Brandon Stephens with pick No. 104 in the 2021 NFL Draft...
Frankly, Stephens is a relatively unknown, under the radar selection. On the bright side, he is a physical prospect with great measurables and the versatility to potentially contribute as a dime safety. Baltimore’s front office has earned the benefit of the doubt on defensive backs.
- Vasilis Lericos
Why lie? I know nothing of this man. However, if the Ravens believe in him—if Eric DeCosta, Joe Hortiz and the coaching staff support him, I’m a believer in their draft process. They’ve done well thus far and there’s no reason not to trust them. Good luck to Stephens and the Ravens.
- Kyle Barber
I’m not going to lie, I never heard of this guy before DeCosta picked him, but I do have trust in DeCosta and the Ravens’ process when it comes to defensive backs. They surely needed insurance for the slot corner position, considering the incumbent starter has only been healthy 40% of the time he’s been in the league, which has forced Marlon Humphrey to play out of position the past two seasons. I don’t have any analysis on Stephens, so I have no choice but to trust that he’ll be a valuable addition to an already strong secondary.
- Cassidy Higdon
Brandon Stephens is a bit of an unknown commodity. The Ravens needed to take a defensive back and clearly see something in Stephens that most people weren’t as enamored with. I’ll defer to their judgment and track record with players in the secondary.
- Frank Platko
Stephens is a guy I knew nothing about heading into the draft. Whether he sticks at cornerback or transitions to safety, Stephens seems like a project player who can earn his place on special teams as a rookie. It’s hard to say that I am not a fan of this pick since I was unaware of Stephens, but there were other players still on the board that I would have liked Baltimore to take at 104.
- Dustin Cox
Like Oweh, Brandon Stephens is another upside pick. The former running back has great speed and is 6’0”. He displayed surprisingly good instincts and play recognition as a defensive back, despite being relatively new to the position. He has the potential to develop into a great cornerback, and the Ravens can afford to be patient with him with Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith, and Tavon Young on the roster. In the meantime, look for Stephens to be a standout on special teams next season.
- Jakob Ashlin
To be completely honest, I don’t know much about Stephens. Based on what I’ve heard and seen in limited sample size, he projects better to safety which I’d be fine with if that is the case because the Ravens are not nearly as deep behind DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark as they are at outside corner behind a pair of Pro Bowlers and solid veteran Jimmy Smith. He will likely be a strong presence on special teams early on in his career with some upside as developmental prospect on defense.
- Joshua Reed